Through the centuries, these pits were considered to have supernatural forces. They evoked fear and respect at the indigenous population, but also gratitude for snow and water which could often be found inside them during the hot summer months. 
Many of these pits were named after some tragical events from long ago, like the Crna snježnica ("Black Snowpit") on the Pivčevac peak. Many tales and legends of this land are directly connected to pits. 
systematical researches started. The explorations were intensified in the eighties, and it was not before the year 1992., when the famous Luke's pit was discovered, that this mountain started attracting numerous speleologists, advanturers and geologists. Due to this fact, in the last couple of years many new pits had been discovered. Until now, there are 178 speleological objects discovered on the area of the National Park (109 km2 ), most of which belong to the group of vertical underground holes, i.e. - pits.
Speleological objects in the Northern Velebit National Park
Pits owe their existance to the tectonic movements. These processes caused movements of huge rock masses either by raising, lowering or horizontal moving along the cracks called the paraclasis. Vaste rock masses cracked and broke in various directions.
Thus were formed the more or less shallow holes which directed downfalls straight into the underground, sometimes on great depths. Water influenced the carbon mineral rocks, melted them through millions of years and widened and broadened underground caves and holes.
